XElenea
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🕑 Added 2024-11-09 16:00:16 +0000 UTCThe torn land.
The shattered city.
And everything else in fragments.
All the scenes in sight had transformed into scattered ruins before their eyes.
The apocalyptic scene was now fully displayed over the ruins known as Fuyuki City.
The angel of destruction was currently bound by countless chains converging upon it, intertwining and slicing through its form. The endless photons spilling from its wounds quickly bleached the entire night sky.
In its struggles, the massive wings of light behind it continued to sway.
As they fell, they easily whipped up fierce storms.
In an instant, countless more skyscrapers and steel structures were sent flying.
The nature of this battle had escalated from initial probing to a defensive struggle and finally into a life-and-death annihilation fight.
In order to completely eliminate this false angel that had descended upon them, the three Servants at the scene were no longer holding anything back. Various abilities born from Noble Phantasms were unleashed, pulling out every last possible trick.
As for how many people were affected by this battle, none of them had the time or inclination to consider it at the moment.
A battle of this magnitude left no room for distraction.
In Gilgamesh's eyes, destroying a threat equal to the Beast was something that could not be done without sacrifice.
So...
"Saber… no, Holy Sword wielder! Do not hesitate! I, your king, command you to release all restraints on your sword immediately and increase its output to maximum scale. Annihilate this being in one strike!"
"There is no need to feel guilty. Do not waver. As long as we destroy this monster, every sacrifice made until now will have been worth it!!"
It was clear that as the battle raged on, the number of casualties caught in its wake continued to rise. The cracked ground and the cries from within the scattered ruins stirred a sense of compassion in Artoria.
At that moment, Gilgamesh loudly reminded her, "Saber, do not waste all these lives and the chance I have secured for you!!"
"I am fully aware, King of Heroes! But it's not enough yet! In my current state, with the magical energy I've accumulated, I can't yet unleash all the restraints to destroy this monster. So… just hold on a bit longer! Stall it for me a little longer!!"
"Still not ready…"
Hearing this, Gilgamesh frowned, his expression growing graver by the moment.
By now, he had noticed the chains around his arm, his dearest friend Enkidu, were trembling.
Though he hated to admit it, this situation clearly indicated that the binding power of the Chains of Heaven was beginning to weaken.
Even with the combined strength of himself and his friend, they could no longer hold this false angel for much longer. It wouldn't take long for the monster to completely adapt to the chains' restraint and break free.
This is bad… this situation isn't looking good.
If it reached that point, they would be in grave danger. With the three Servants in their current state, they couldn't withstand another battle. Moreover, the monster's condition had clearly reached its peak, and it could destroy humanity at any moment. They couldn't afford to delay any longer.
Gilgamesh's eyes narrowed as he quickly made a decision.
"Aaaaaaa..."
At the same time, the angel began to chant a hymn, holy yet dissonant, from its pierced throat.
The eerie, unsettling sound echoed across the ruins, causing Gilgamesh's brow to twitch. He looked at the angel and saw that its recovery was speeding up at a rate visible to the naked eye, and the accumulation of magical power in its massive body was also accelerating.
"What!!!"
In this situation, Gilgamesh no longer cared about maintaining his royal composure. Veins bulged on his arms as he gripped the chain with all his might. He turned his head and roared toward Artoria behind him.
"Saber! Are you still not ready?! How much time has passed already?! The time you're taking to charge your sword's release... are you toying with me? You are leagues beneath that guy!!"
Gilgamesh, having crossed paths with Arthur of the past, clearly underestimated Artoria's strength.
Not only in terms of raw power but also in the speed and potency of releasing her holy sword... there was a stark difference.
"Shut up…"
Artoria furrowed her brow, still desperately gathering the last of her magical energy.
Although she could fire off her Noble Phantasm at any moment, the holy sword's release hadn't yet reached its maximum potential, which would be required to eliminate the enemy. Such an attack would be meaningless, so she had to keep accumulating power.
"Ugh…"
Feeling the chains on his arms gradually snapping and noticing Artoria's continued reluctance, Gilgamesh was furious.
Even Fionn shook his head slightly, expressing his helplessness as he diligently defended Artoria, fending off the falling attacks and Noble Phantasms from the battle to protect her during her holy sword's release.
"Do your best, King of Heroes."
"…"
At that moment, Gilgamesh was left speechless, cursing in his mind. How had he ended up with such a burdensome ally?
In this extermination battle, he was expected to deal the highest damage and take the most hits, and now, even counting on her to land a Noble Phantasm finishing blow was an ordeal.
This woman was nothing like the Holy Sword wielder he remembered.
Fists clenched tightly in frustration, Gilgamesh felt this kind of teammate was simply dragging him down.
The Holy Sword wielder from that other world had unleashed a holy sword strike like an instant light cannon. Even if she needed to charge and break all the restraints, it shouldn't have taken this long!!
"Aaaaaa...."
The angel's hymn grew louder. By now, more than half of the chains binding its throat had snapped, and the terrifying power and vast magical energy continued to accumulate within its body. Its wings and form became even more blinding... a sign it was approaching another evolution.
At this very moment, the magical energy generated and accumulated within the angel had reached the level required to activate its spell. Once it broke free from all the Chains of Heaven, the world-altering spell would be unleashed. If it wasn't dealt with during this brief window, everything would be lost.
"Mongrel! A mere false angel dares to try and break free from my restraints? Don't be so naive!!"
The terrifying force surged through the chains of Heaven, violently constricting the angel's throat. Gilgamesh tightly gripped the other end of the chain, using it to support his body and restrain the angel with all his might, fighting for just a little more time.
At this moment, as he wrestled with the angel, his body began to tear apart, and even his saint graph started to show countless cracks. The excruciating pain stabbed into his heart, but it also cleared his mind somewhat.
"Not finished yet?! My perfect body is not something a creature like you can compare to!!"
Despite his crumbling body, Gilgamesh spared a glance at Artoria, who was in the final stages of preparing her attack. Seeing the faint starlight spilling from her, he knew the time was almost right.
"Too slow, Saber! But as long as you make it in time for the final moment, it's still timely enough. The time you need now, I will buy it for you!!"
At that instant, Gilgamesh completely disregarded the intense pain his body was transmitting. A crazed grin spread across his face as he forced his saint graph to its limits, unleashing his greatest strength. For a brief moment, the angel's body was actually strained tight by the chains.
"Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!"
A wild, unrestrained laugh burst from his lips as the crimson serpent-like pupils in his eyes fully revealed his true nature.
Arrogant, audacious, yet unmatched in strength... only one phrase could describe this brazen figure.
"Throughout heaven and earth, I alone am the supreme one!"
At that moment, it was as if the heroic king from the most ancient times had fully returned. The golden king spread his arms wide, gripping the chains of Heaven wrapped around his arm. Veins bulged on his forehead, and the chain, cracking in several places, tightened around the angel's massive body.
His body began to dissolve into spirit particles, and wounds started to rupture...
At this point in the battle, both his body and spirit origin were at their limits. Yet, Gilgamesh drowned it all out with his triumphant laughter.
The pride of a king would never allow him to retreat from this fight in disgrace.
The king acknowledges, the king bears the burden, the king decides the fate of this world!!
In this final moment, Gilgamesh had done everything he could. His will had been fully conveyed to his two comrades behind him.
The holy sword, radiating golden starlight, stood before Artoria's chest. Her gathered magical energy had reached its peak, and she had now entered the ritual to unleash the Excalibur.
"Sword is in motion, Restraints of the Round Table released, Round Table decision start!"
[Kay acknowledged this is a battle must be to live.]
[Bedivere acknowledged this is a battle with the enemy more powerful than oneself.]
[Gaheris acknowledged this is a battle that does not against humanity.]
[Lancelot acknowledged this is a battle not against the elemental.]
...
As a series of dazzling lights illuminated the blade, Artoria continued to release the seals, with each seal unlocking a brighter and more brilliant light. In mere moments, nearly half of the seals were fully activated, as a radiant stream of stars gathered onto the sword in her hands.
"Aaaaaaa!!!"
In the end, it was nothing more than a false angel, lacking the divinity and authority of a true god. Its existence posed a great threat to humanity and the very essence of human order, easily making it a target for the holy sword's special attack.
As the angel struggled violently, countless rays of light fell from its luminous wings.
Fionn swung his spear relentlessly, gathering streams of magical-infused water to deflect the falling light and weapons, standing steadfastly in front of Artoria.
Compared to his own situation, Saber's imminent release of the Excalibur was the most crucial. His primary task was to support Saber, ensuring she could deliver the final blow.
There was no room for other thoughts. For the sake of this last chance at victory, even sacrificing himself was worth it.
"So... bring it on, false angel. No matter how many attacks you throw, I'll block them all!"
"Aaaaaaa!!!"
Despite the angel's attacks being blocked, Artoria's Excalibur continued gathering power.
In the angel's eyes, the towering pillar of starlight grew increasingly brilliant, the light radiating from the Excalibur triggering an instinctive sense of danger.
In that moment, this false angel... born and existing solely to achieve salvation... finally felt fear. The fear of annihilation.
It had no concept of death, and what it feared wasn't the destruction of its own existence but the void left behind by its unfulfilled mission of salvation.
At that moment, the once indifferent false angel finally moved, driven by its deepest emotions.
Buzz Buzz Buzz
No longer just playing around, the countless light wings wrestling with the Chains of Heaven covered the sky like a curtain. Each wing descending carried immense destructive power. They merged in the heavens above, creating a field of destruction that, in an instant, enveloped the entire city.
At that moment, the sky itself seemed to fall.
A destructive divine light.
"It's coming!"
"This is quite excessive... Up until now, this thing we've been fighting had no desire to actively attack or destroy anything."
"But now, this angel... or rather, this monster threatening humanity, driven by its instincts... can no longer sit idly by."
"No matter how much it pretends to be an angel, its true nature cannot be hidden. It is an enemy of humanity, a foe of human order, and in the face of the Excalibur, it has revealed its true self."
"You two truly live up to your reputations as renowned kings, playing vital roles in this battle. In that case, I must not fall behind."
"So... let me handle the last bit of time."
"Lancer..."
Looking up at the nearing sky, Fionn chuckled softly, resolutely stepping in front of Artoria, then... released his Noble Phantasm.
"O flowing water, gather here, this endless wisdom.
"This single blow has slain even fallen Divine Spirits!
"Taste its wrath!
"Mac an Luin!"
Blinding wings of light fell like meteors streaking across the night sky, plummeting toward the ground with unimaginable speed, containing terrifying destructive force.
The power of this strike was enough to wipe the city... and even the entire nation from the face of the planet. This was the full-strength attack of a high-ranking archangel, with no mercy.
Faced with a true threat to its survival from the holy sword, the false angel prioritized the salvation of humanity above all else. Everything and everyone standing in the way of that goal became targets for destruction.
And so, it made the same choice as Emiya Kiritsugu... a choice called to sacrifice the few to save the many, a decision made unilaterally.
As the gathered light wings fused and descended, the light of destruction filled the heavens, drawing closer. If these wings exploded over Fuyuki City, the resulting impact would instantly plunge the entire nation into the sea.
Destruction was now just a heartbeat away.
At that same moment, a horizontal flash of light suddenly appeared in the darkness. The immense angelic body trembled slightly, and then the water flowing from the spearhead surged forward like the arrows of the gods, mercilessly rushing toward the falling light of destruction.
In the blink of an eye... no more than a second or two, the strongest Noble Phantasm released by Fionn, containing all his strength, was effortlessly swallowed by the descending aurora-like light of destruction and quickly overwhelmed.
Even the strongest Noble Phantasm of a Servant seemed utterly insignificant and powerless in the face of this all-consuming celestial light. Even though Fionn had exerted all his strength, it only delayed the inevitable by a mere half-second. But it was enough. Even those brief two seconds were enough.
As the light of destruction descended in front of him, Fionn glanced at his broken spear with a bitter smile.
"It's over..."
His role in this war, acting as a support, was now complete. He had fulfilled his duty as a sacrificial pawn, creating the final opportunity.
"Now... everything depends on you, Saber..."
[Mordred acknowledged this is a battle against evil.]
[Agravain acknowledged this is a battle for the truth.]
At the very moment when the light of destruction was about to consume everything, the remaining light on the holy sword finally illuminated completely. After tireless effort and countless sacrifices, the thirteen restraints entwining the Excalibur had all been fully released.
[Arthur Pendragon acknowledged this is a battle to save the world!]
When the breath of the planet converged and the life force surged.
The final restraints entwined around the Holy Sword were also released. Artoria raised the Excalibur, its light piercing through the night sky, and with all her strength, she swung it heavily at the falling firmament.
"Excalibur!!"
The Holy Sword, created to save the world, unleashed its brightest radiance. Facing a false angel that sought to obliterate humanity, she struck with the most powerful blow of judgment!
The white and gold converged into an absolute force of light and heat, an overwhelming power that was beyond words to describe.
In the instant the starlight exploded, both the angel's body and the falling sky were swallowed by the light and completely annihilated. The battlefield, the enemies, and everything visible vanished within the starlight.
The chains of heaven that pierced the throat, the massive body filled with endless magical energy, and the countless wings covering the sky... all were instantly erased in the starlight.
At this moment, Gilgamesh hurriedly retracted the Chains of Heaven and opened his treasury to activate his defensive Noble Phantasms. In the blink of an eye, only the ever-extending golden torrent was reflected in his eyes and in the eyes of all watching across the world.
"What is that light?"
"Is that a galaxy? But why is it golden?"
"How beautiful... Let's make a wish."
At this moment, people around the world stopped what they were doing, gazing dumbfounded at the golden star river crossing the sky, expressing their amazement.
Except for the satellites and space stations in the space that were shattered by the sudden pillar of light.
"Fuhahahahaha!!"
"Yes, that's it! The Holy Sword wielder should be like this! Only an attack like that can completely annihilate this being. I know this Holy Sword's power all too well."
"Even if in a different world and wielded by a different person, the brilliance of this Excalibur remains as dazzling and unstoppable. A mere false angel cannot withstand this all-out strike from the planet."
Gilgamesh laughed loudly, paying no mind to the fact that his body was gradually disintegrating into spirit particles.
With all the commotion, even with the Holy Grail and the herbs replenishing his magical energy, his saint graph could no longer hold. The Chains of Heaven coiled around his arm finally reached their limit with a faint rumble and cracking sound.
"You've done well, my friend..."
Gilgamesh gently caressed the now broken chains. His body, like cracked porcelain, began to crumble.
"I've taken care of the hardest part. Now, for the final cleanup, you can struggle all you like. Just don't disappoint me... Hahaha..."
With that, Gilgamesh dissolved into spirit particles and disappeared.
That guy... He was clearly at his limit for a long time...
Artoria looked deeply at the platform where Gilgamesh had vanished.
"The King of Heroes... What a truly unique ruler... But it seems it's my turn to exit the stage as well."
A bitter laugh sounded.
Compared to Saber, who was barely managing to stand by leaning on her sword, Fionn was in an even worse state. In the moment when the falling sky collided with the starlight, he had used the last of his strength to shield his Master, Kayneth, with his body, which had almost been completely spent. He had walked the final path of this Holy Grail War.
His spear had long since broken, his magical energy exhausted, and half of his body destroyed by the angel's light.
Before departing, Fionn knelt down with great difficulty before his lord.
"Thank you, my lord. To have met you and witnessed this Holy Grail War until the end, I am truly... satisfied."
"Lancer..."
"Hmph, you've done well enough. At least you haven't tarnished the name of El-Melloi. As my Servant, you've proven yourself worthy."
Kayneth patted his shoulder and said.
"Rest easy now. Leave the rest to the modern magi."
"That's... truly a relief."
Fionn closed his eyes and dissolved into spirit particles.
At this moment, both Archer and Lancer have officially exited the stage.
But still... Is this thing for real? In such a situation, how could it still be alive?!!
Looking at the still-writhing ball of light hanging in the sky, both Kayneth and Artoria's faces darkened.
How could this be? How could it have survived such an attack?
No, rather than survive, it would be more accurate to say that only a portion of it remained.
At the last moment, this being had retracted all the magical energy it had accumulated into its core, simultaneously perishing and regenerating, preserving just its core and stubbornly resisting Excalibur's torrent.
"Aaaaaaaa..."
"My Lord, do not forsake me..."
A familiar voice sang a hymn from the remaining sphere of light.
Was it the angel?
No, it was Amakusa Shirou. His soul was awakening from Heaven's Feel. After enduring the Excalibur, he did not die but instead broke through and evolved again.
This time, his soul and the angel were gradually merging, gaining sentience. With only a bit more magical energy, he could emerge from his cocoon as a new being.
"You must be kidding! There's no way I'll let you revive again!"
Seeing the sphere of light squirming and rapidly gathering magical energy, Artoria shouted in anger, raising the Sword of Promised Victory with both hands, preparing to charge her Noble Phantasm again.
But...
"That's enough, Saber. There's no time for another release of the Excalibur."
A voice suddenly appeared, as Roy gently patted her shoulder. "You've done enough. Leave the final blow to me."
"What are you planning to do?"
"I'm going to destroy him."
Suddenly, Roy leaped up, using the shattered stones on the ground as a foothold, and flew toward the expanding sphere of light in midair.
The jewel-encrusted dagger in his hand radiated a seven-colored glow, representing the initiation of the Second Magic's ritual.
"Connect countless circuits to infinite parallel worlds, circulate the magic... and release."
In the moment of contact, the jeweled sword effortlessly pierced and ignited the entire sphere of light, striking straight at its core.
This was the first clash between the Second Magic and the Third Magic.
The first substantial collision between two of the Five True Magics.
The scene before him could only be described as miraculous.
"Amakusa Shirou, open the door! I've brought you some warmth!!"
Roy kept his gaze fixed on the light mass in front of him, which continued to resist in a desperate struggle. His eyes flashed with a sharp glint, and the output of his magic circuits instantly increased several levels. The Jeweled Sword he wielded, imbued with terrifying power, plunged viciously into the core of the light mass.
"Aaaaaaa!"
At that moment, the massive light mass seemed to be violently provoked. Its shape distorted rapidly as it began to struggle, and countless tentacles emerged from it, grasping Roy's limbs in an attempt to tear him away.
"Don't be shy, let me take a look!!"
The moment the tentacles, capable of easily altering souls, touched his body, Roy's eyes flashed gold. The flame in his chest erupted without reservation.
The pitch-black flame clung to the tentacles like a relentless parasite, igniting the light mass and causing the creature to scream in agony, "Aaaaaaaa!!!"
Compared to a powerful Noble Phantasm, the burn that struck at its soul was far more fatal, especially when it touched the souls of both a Foreigner and an Avenger.
"Stop struggling! Stay still; don't worry, it'll be over soon. The pain will only last a moment!!"
Roy tore through the tentacles that were wrapping around him, along with the black flames burning on his body. Swinging the Jeweled Sword, he slashed a deep gash across the surface of the light mass.
"Aaaaa!!!"
The screams grew louder, and the struggle continued, but with the residual Third Magic consumed to such an extent, how could it resist this confrontation between two of the Five True Magics?!
Feeling the direct impact of two magical forces clashing, Roy's expression began to twist from the excruciating pain tearing through him as different colored lights warred against each other. It felt as though his entire body would fall apart at any moment.
Blood streamed from the corners of his eyes, his body torn apart in various places, and even his very soul was undergoing a silent, profound transformation. In the gaps of this clash, both his soul and body endured unspeakable pain.
Is this hell?
No, it can't be. Even hell wouldn't be this painful, would it?
This awkward state of being unable to live and unable to die, suffering from the pull of two ultimate forces, was agonizing. If it weren't for the steel will passed on to him by the Count, Roy would have surely crumbled here.
It hurts, it hurts so much.
Someone, get me out of here, let me die... anything, just make it quick.
But no, it's not over yet, not yet. The one who caused this to happen to me is still struggling, and the thing inside hasn't completely died.
So, he keeps pushing. Increase the power. Tear this thing apart entirely. Shred it from the outside in and crushed it, making the one responsible pay for everything.
"Open up for me!!!"
His roar was accompanied by the sound of tearing.
Tearing both the light mass and himself.
A severed arm and the open gash appeared simultaneously. A massive crack opened on the light mass, revealing the path to its core. Roy leaped into it.
"It's over now, Heaven's Feell!!"
At last, he had torn everything apart and reached the innermost core, the soul... standing before a boy, none other than Amakusa Shirou. From this distance, there was nowhere left for him to run.
Gripping the Jeweled Sword with his remaining hand, Roy drove it fiercely into Amakusa Shirou's chest. In that instant, the sources of both magics collided completely.
Then...
A blinding white light obliterated everything. A towering pillar of light shot straight into the sky, illuminating the stars above the entire Japan.
Once again, the whole world was shaken.
Now, neither those on the surface world nor those on the reverse side of the world could sleep. Tonight's series of major events had left both sides of the world in shock.
Whether they were experts or novices, people across the globe were already rushing here, and before long, the entire Japan would become bustling with activity.
The boundary between magecraft and science would likely be shattered at this very moment.
Unlike Kayneth and Artoria, who were temporarily blinded by the pillar of light soaring into the sky from the perimeter, Roy who was at the core of the Holy Grail and in the gap between two true magics.
Within this absolute pillar of destruction, he seemed to glimpse a faint...
Light?
"What's the meaning of you falling here? You fucking useless thing who can't even replicate the vessel properly, you can't even handle this?"
In a void of endless darkness stretching infinitely in all directions, a voice suddenly echoed.
"Hahahaha, don't be so impatient. After all, that child's time was delayed for so long, it's only natural he's fallen to this state, isn't it?"
"That may be true, but this is far too tragic. He never understood his own miracle."
"No need to rush, no need to get angry. Thanks to that fake, we've acquired something valuable."
"Hehehehe, quite right. Even though it was just a boring farce, as spectators, we are the greatest beneficiaries."
Another indistinct voice spoke from the depths of the darkness.
"After all, we obtained the key."
"Come to think of it, wasn't it because we sealed his powers and didn't guide him to find his way that he ended up in such a miserable state?"
"Though those two trivial wills played a part, his own negligence can't be ignored."
"My, oh my. This child could have been greedier."
Even more voices echoed from the other side of the darkness.
"But are we really going to just watch this child die? If we don't intervene soon, his soul will be drawn into the Vortex, and won't that be a problem? Shouldn't we just pull his soul out?"
"Whoa, whoa, hold on. Calm yourself, Mh'ithrha. If you actually did that, Yog-Sothoth would certainly be furious."
"Don't forget what its projections foretold... let nature take its course. You and I both know the wisdom and judgment of Yog-Sothoth all too well. We should refrain from acting, to avoid interfering with the outcome and skewing the expected future. If someone recklessly intervenes and lets the sweet fruit slip from our grasp, they'll have to face the wrath of all their kin!" The voice of crawling chaos held a note of seriousness.
"Nyaralathotep is right. Trusting in Yog-Sothoth's plan is the best choice. Although this planet is weak and insignificant, some of the beings on it are still quite sharp. Besides, in this stage, we are far too large in scale, Mh'ithrha."
"At this point, that Demon born from the legacy of the King of Magecraft has not yet begun to act, and the gaze of the alien gods has merely brushed past this planet. The truly interesting events have yet to unfold, and we don't need to intervene so early."
"Even if I use my best technique to greatly weaken our own scale, creating a vessel to ensure that this world doesn't collapse, it's only a matter of time."
"And if our arbitrary actions attract the attention of that magician, or other interesting bugs on this planet, then things could quickly become very uninteresting."
"Stubborn persistence is quite absurd; it would be easy to kill that guy if we wanted to, yet the most chaotic among us insists on adhering to such a boring principle. It's really ironic."
"Hahahaha, isn't it contradictory? I think so too. When this thought came to mind, I found myself questioning what I was really thinking."
"However, we have already obtained the key; now we just need to wait for the right moment. At that time, we can use Nyaralathotep's method to create a suitable vessel and personally join this game."
"Honestly, I didn't expect the wait to be so long. I still want to be with that child as soon as possible. Alone in this universe, she must really need her mother's company."
"Company? You're not planning to run away, are you, Shub-Niggurath?"
"Don't say it so harshly. Nyaralathotep, I simply want to take care of my child as her mother."
"Hehehehe, caring for a child as a mother? You're quite altruistic, Shub-Niggurath. Claiming to be his mother is due to that child's strange memories of you, right? When he was pulled into the rift, I suspect you weren't able to sit still either, were you?"
"Not at all; I just found it hard to watch. After all, as a mother, seeing my child suffer pains my heart as well."
"How hypocritical, Shub-Niggurath. Do you even remember how many offspring you have?"
"None, really. I never pay attention to useless children."
"That's very much like you."
Another voice suddenly chimed in.
"Speaking of which, if we didn't have the key, it wouldn't be so bad, but now that we have it, we can only observe and not join in, which is quite intolerable."
"It's so close yet so far."
"Calm down, Cthugha. This is beyond our control. If our interference causes whatever lies dormant in the Crystal Valley or other beings sleeping on this planet to awaken, then there will be no game for anyone to play."
"Moreover, that child seems quite concerned about this fragile planet."
"Besides, if we insist on intervening, that man guarding the outer solar system won't just stand by and interfere with our game."
"..."
In the void of space, a man was sitting with his eyes closed under a tree that emitted brilliant energy.
"Then let's wait patiently. The endless years have been endured; this is merely a fleeting moment. Can't we endure just a bit longer?"
"And what about… the Vortex? Should we just let him be drawn into it without worrying about whether his soul can return?"
Soon, another voice joined the tea party.
"Don't worry, Daoloth. That child won't be harmed even if he enters the Vortex. His soul cannot be assimilated, and the only one who will suffer a headache from staying inside for too long will be the Vortex itself."
"Besides, doesn't he like that girl in the Vortex? Let him go in and meet her; excessively interfering with this kid is not what we should do."
"Exactly. We've endured through the long years, and a few years or even a decade is merely a short nap. What's there to be anxious about? Just wait peacefully."
"Before the right moment comes, it's best to continue observing that child. And don't you find it interesting? Watching how that child's emergence can shift the world to some extent is a fascinating thing. All of us should just wait patiently."
"Hehehehe, don't say that to me, Shub-Niggurath. Aren't you and Nyaralathotep also looking forward to this? Or perhaps all of us who are aware of this child are already itching to act."
"Hahahahaha, I can't deny that. A different record, another concept; a new world where we can freely expand is already within reach. When that time comes, we won't be bound by this so-called dream anymore. Just thinking about it makes me ecstatic and impatient."
"You're right; this is indeed much more interesting than everything that has happened in the past. Being able to break free from the confines of the record is exactly the framework imposed on us. To be able to freely act in such a way is simply wonderful."
"It seems that arriving here as soon as we sensed a living being crossing the boundary of the record was indeed the right choice."
"Grand Order? Interesting, interesting. Our gaze has already turned here. Soon, this place will become the center of the entire record."
"When the time is right, we'll be able to join this interesting game, and we can use this child's power to completely leave this place and gain true freedom... Hehehe, breaking away from the dream and reaching the outer side of the fixed record to become an independent entity is truly unimaginable."
"However, don't rejoice too soon, Nyaralathotep. The biggest problem still depends on that child's attitude toward us. I don't think he'll cooperate obediently or sincerely trust us so-called Outer Gods and Evil Gods."
"This issue is indeed worth considering, especially since my image in that child's memory is indeed somewhat… problematic, although it is true for everyone."
"However, especially you... Nyaralathotep, that child has the worst impression of you."
"Hahaha, Shub-Niggurath, aren't you also claiming to be his mother because you saw that child's memories? But it's fine; none of this matters."
"No matter how that child feels about us, he will become one of us. As companions, all we need to do is take him home, that's all…"
"Hehehehe, companions? So we have such an absurd concept?"
"Is that your familiar method of deception again? In that case, I'll quietly look forward to your performance then. Just don't mess it up, Nyaralathotep."
"Of course not. When the time comes, I will approach him with the suitable identity I create using the key in my hand. Just so happens that he has a favorable impression of me."
"Interesting, interesting. I must get involved when that time comes since I was the first to discover that child."
"That's fine; it's no problem. But it was actually Yog-Sothoth who found that child first, right? He's still busy looking for that girl named Abigail."
"Shut up! Nyaralathotep! I found him first, so whoever finds him first gets to claim him."
"Hehehehe, you really are as unreasonable as ever, Time Lord."
The crawling chaos in the black mist let out a sharp laugh.
"But such matters are utterly unimportant to us."
"I'll do as I please without worrying about others, acting according to my own preferences. This is our privilege."
"However, I'm really looking forward to meeting that child… I truly want to possess him."
